India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims of Targeting Infrastructure in Retaliatory Strikes
NEW DELHI – The Indian government vehemently refuted Pakistan’s allegations of targeting Indian infrastructure during retaliatory air strikes, denouncing them as a "malicious misinformation campaign." Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a joint briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence, categorically dismissed claims of damage to Indian military installations, airbases, power systems, and cyber infrastructure. Misri characterized Pakistan’s assertions as "lies" and urged the international community not to be swayed by Islamabad’s narrative. He further rejected Pakistan’s claim that Indian munitions had struck Afghanistan, labeling it "frivolous" and highlighting Pakistan’s own history of targeting Afghan civilians and infrastructure. Misri emphasized that Pakistan initiated the escalation with its provocations leading to the Indian response.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh reiterated the government’s stance, asserting that the Indian Armed Forces executed "swift and calibrated" precision strikes exclusively on identified military targets in Pakistan. She joined Foreign Secretary Misri in condemning Pakistan’s persistent dissemination of false information. The briefing provided detailed information about India’s retaliatory actions, emphasizing the precision and measured nature of the strikes.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi outlined the specifics of India’s military response to Pakistan’s aggression along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC). She confirmed that Indian fighter aircraft utilized air-launched precision weapons to target military installations in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot airbases were also neutralized. Colonel Qureshi stressed that India took precautions to minimize collateral damage while carrying out these strikes in response to Pakistan’s targeting of civilian locations.
The briefing also highlighted Pakistan’s use of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), commonly known as drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets against Indian military assets. Pakistan’s aggressive actions extended along the western border and the LoC, involving attempted airspace infiltrations at over 26 locations, spanning from Srinagar to Naliya. Drone attacks and the use of heavy-calibre weapons were recorded along the LoC and International Border (IB).
The Indian counter-offensive involved strikes on at least four Pakistani airbases, according to government sources cited by news agency ANI. This action came in response to a wave of drone attacks by Pakistan on 26 Indian locations across various states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Punjab, and others. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that several of these drones, some armed, targeted both military and civilian sites, prompting a heightened state of alert among Indian forces.
Indian forces implemented counter-drone systems and issued safety advisories to civilians in border regions, urging them to remain indoors. Reports emerged of explosions and property damage in several areas, including Udhampur, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and rural Jalandhar. Eyewitness accounts described intense blasts causing damage to rooftops and water tanks, occurring during periods of power outages. These accounts paint a vivid picture of the tension and disruption experienced by communities near the border. The Indian government’s firm rejection of Pakistan’s claims, coupled with the detailed account of the retaliatory strikes, underscores the seriousness of the escalating conflict. The use of drones and advanced weaponry by both sides highlights the evolving nature of warfare in the region and the potential for further escalation. The international community watches closely as tensions remain high, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further conflict.